Best 7 Pan Seared Soft Shell Crabs With Lemon Capers And Olives Recipes

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Craving for a delectable seafood dish that tantalizes your taste buds? Look no further than pan-seared soft-shell crabs, a culinary masterpiece that combines the delicate flavor of soft-shell crabs with a symphony of zesty and aromatic ingredients. This recipe presents a mouthwatering journey, guiding you through the steps of preparing this delectable dish.

Embark on a culinary adventure as you discover the art of pan-searing soft-shell crabs, ensuring a crispy golden-brown exterior and a tender, succulent interior. Learn the secrets of creating a flavorful lemon caper sauce that perfectly complements the crabs, adding a touch of brightness and tang. Elevate your dish further with the addition of briny olives, adding a delightful salty dimension that balances the other flavors.

This recipe also includes variations to cater to different preferences. Craving a touch of heat? Incorporate chili flakes into the sauce for a spicy kick. Prefer a creamy touch? Add a dollop of crème fraîche to the sauce, creating a rich and luscious texture.

Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook looking to impress your guests, this pan-seared soft-shell crabs recipe is sure to delight. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your palate, and embark on a culinary journey that will leave you craving for more.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

PAN-FRIED SOFT-SHELL CRABS



Pan-Fried Soft-Shell Crabs image

Ask your fishmonger to clean soft-shell crabs for you. Crabs should be cooked no more than six hours after they are cleaned.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Seafood Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons coarse salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
12 soft-shell crabs, cleaned
12 tablespoons vegetable oil
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
3 lemons, cut in half

Steps:

  • Whisk flour, salt, and pepper; place on a dinner plate. Dredge 2 soft-shell crabs in flour mixture, shaking off excess (make sure crabs are completely coated).
  • Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium sauté pan over medium-high heat. The oil should be very hot but not smoking. Place flour-coated crabs, back side down, in sauté pan; reduce heat to medium if pan starts to smoke. Sauté crabs until golden and crisp, about 3 minutes (do not stand too close to pan; crabs tend to spatter during cooking). Turn crabs over, and cook 2 minutes more.
  • Add 1 tablespoon butter and a large pinch of parsley to skillet. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over crabs. Keep warm in a low oven. Repeat process until all the crabs are cooked.

SAUTEED SOFT-SHELL CRABS WITH GARLIC AND BUTTER



Sauteed Soft-shell Crabs with Garlic and Butter image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     appetizer

Time 32m

Yield 3 appetizer servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

3 soft-shell crabs, cleaned and patted dry
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup flour
2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 garlic, sliced
2 tablespoons capers, drained
1/2 cup white wine
1 tablespoon butter
Few chive blades, chopped
Essence, for garnish, recipe follows
2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme

Steps:

  • Season crabs with salt and pepper and dredge in the flour, shaking off excess. Set aside.
  • In a large skillet over medium high heat, add the oil and saute the crabs until soft, about 2 minutes on each side. Remove the crabs and set aside. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Then add the capers and white wine. Cook until wine has reduced to about 1/2. Swirl in the butter and the chopped chives. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Transfer crabs to a plate, spoon sauce over the crabs and garnish with Essence.
  • Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
  • Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

SAUTEED SOFT-SHELL CRABS WITH CAPER BROWN BUTTER



Sauteed Soft-Shell Crabs with Caper Brown Butter image

Provided by Tyler Florence

Categories     main-dish

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups all-purpose flour
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 medium soft-shell crabs, cleaned and rinsed
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
2 tablespoons capers, drained
1/2 cup dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
1 lemon, juiced
1 handful fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
Lemon wedges, for serving

Steps:

  • To prepare the soft-shell crabs: Put the flour in a pie dish or plate and season with a fair amount of salt and pepper. Dredge the crabs in the seasoned flour to coat, shaking off the excess. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high flame. Lay the crabs in the hot oil in a single layer without crowding; you may have to fry them in batches. Be careful, the crabs have a tendency to pop and spatter. Cook the crabs for about 3 minutes on each side, turning once, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and cover to keep warm.
  • Lower the heat to medium and add the butter to the pan. Let the butter melt and cook until it just begins to brown. Add the capers and wine; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes until almost dry. Add the lemon juice and parsley; season with salt and pepper. Pour the caper brown butter sauce over the crabs and serve with lemon wedges.

SHEILA'S SAUTEED SOFT-SHELL CRABS WITH LEMON BUTTER SAUCE



Sheila's Sauteed Soft-Shell Crabs With Lemon Butter Sauce image

When my boyfriend told me soft-shell crabs was one of his favorite dishes, I knew I was in trouble. I had never made them before, so I realized I was in for a long learning process. Well, I think I have finally mastered it. As a matter of fact, when we were recently out to dinner, he ordered some soft-shell crabs and then proclaimed (with surprise) that they weren't near as good as mine! So, I will share my success with you.

Provided by JackieOhNo

Categories     Crab

Time 25m

Yield 3 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

6 soft shelled crabs, cleaned and rinsed
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons milk
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons capers, drained
1/2 cup dry white wine (I always use Sauvignon Blanc)
4 medium lemons, juice of
2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Steps:

  • In Ziploc bag, add flour and Old Bay seasoning. Seal and shake to mix.
  • In bowl, combine eggs and milk.
  • Dredge crabs in egg mixture, then add to seasoned flour and shake to coat. Shake off excess when removing from bag.
  • Heat 3 T. oil in large saute pan or skillet over medium heat. Add 3 crabs in a single layer and cook for about 3 minutes, then turn and cook for another 3 minutes. The crabs should be nice and golden brown. (Be careful when cooking, because they sometimes will pop and/or spatter.) Remove crabs to serving dish.
  • Heat remaining 3 T. oil in pan, then add the next 3 crabs and repeat cooking instructions.
  • Do not clean out pan when crabs are removed, but add butter. Let the butter melt and turn a little brown. Add the capers and the wine. Cook for about 1 minute, then add the lemon juice and the parsley. Cook for about 2 more minutes, or until reduced by about a third. Pour sauce over the crabs and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 665.1, Fat 47, SaturatedFat 14.9, Cholesterol 198.8, Sodium 485.7, Carbohydrate 38.4, Fiber 1.6, Sugar 2.3, Protein 17

SOFT-SHELL CRAB WITH PRESERVED LEMON AND ALMONDS



Soft-Shell Crab With Preserved Lemon and Almonds image

Provided by David Tanis

Categories     dinner, quick, main course

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning
4 soft-shell crabs, cleaned (see note)
8 tablespoons (1/4 pound) butter, melted
1/2 cup sliced almonds
2 tablespoons diced preserved lemon
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Lemon wedges, for serving

Steps:

  • Season the flour for dredging: mix together flour, cumin, coriander, cayenne, paprika and salt in a shallow bowl. Quickly dip both sides of the crabs in flour mixture and shake off excess.
  • Put 4 tablespoons melted butter in a large, wide cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. When butter is hot, carefully put in the crabs, top side down. Cook for about 2 minutes per side, until well crisped and cooked through. Remove crabs to a warmed platter. Sprinkle lightly with salt.
  • Add 4 more tablespoons melted butter to pan and add sliced almonds. Stir to coat and cook until lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Add preserved lemon and cilantro and turn off heat.
  • Spoon butter sauce over crabs, surround with lemon wedges and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 355, UnsaturatedFat 12 grams, Carbohydrate 16 grams, Fat 30 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 9 grams, SaturatedFat 15 grams, Sodium 68 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 1 gram

PAN-FRIED SOFT-SHELL CRABS



Pan-Fried Soft-Shell Crabs image

Boom! Pan-fried soft-shell crabs served with lemon-butter and an Asian-inspired ginger and scallion soy sauce.

Provided by ERIKIM21

Time 20m

Yield 3

Number Of Ingredients 13

¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay®)
1 large egg, beaten
1 tablespoon milk
3 (4.5 ounce) soft-shell crabs, cleaned
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
½ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
1 tablespoon dill pickle juice
1 tablespoon Creole mustard
½ tablespoon seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay®)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Combine flour and seafood seasoning in a resealable zip-top bag. Seal and shake to mix. Combine egg and milk in a bowl. Dredge crabs in egg mixture, then add to seasoned flour and shake to coat. Shake off excess when removing from bag.
  • Heat olive oil in a large saute pan or skillet over medium heat. Add crabs in a single layer and cook for 3 minutes; flip and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes more. Remove to a serving dish.
  • Mix mayonnaise, chives, pickle juice, mustard, seafood seasoning, lemon juice, salt, and pepper together for remoulade. Serve with crabs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 516.2 calories, Carbohydrate 10.8 g, Cholesterol 100.4 mg, Fat 48 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 10.8 g, SaturatedFat 7.2 g, Sodium 1224.1 mg, Sugar 1.4 g

SOFT-SHELL CRABS, PAN-FRIED



Soft-Shell Crabs, Pan-Fried image

Provided by Moira Hodgson

Categories     dinner, quick, main course

Time 7m

Yield 2 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

6 medium soft-shell crabs (cleaned)
3 tablespoons butter (clarified if possible)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
3 tablespoons slivered almonds
3 tablespoons parsley, chopped
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Lemon wedges

Steps:

  • Pat the crabs dry with paper towels.
  • Heat the butter and oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the crabs backside down and sprinkle with pepper flakes. Cover the crabs with a spatter-proof shield or a lid held at an angle to prevent spattering. Cook for three to four minutes.
  • Turn the crabs over and add the almonds. The butter will now be starting to brown. Cook for an additional three minutes, or until the crabs are cooked. Sprinkle with parsley, salt and pepper and serve with the lemon.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 333, UnsaturatedFat 16 grams, Carbohydrate 3 grams, Fat 30 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 14 grams, SaturatedFat 12 grams, Sodium 258 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 1 gram

Tips:

  • Choose the Right Crabs: Select medium-sized soft-shell crabs that are firm and have a sweet, briny smell. Avoid any crabs with brown or black spots, as these may indicate spoilage.
  • Clean the Crabs Properly: Before cooking, clean the soft-shell crabs by removing the gills, mouthparts, and intestinal tract. Rinse them thoroughly under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
  • Use a Large Skillet: Use a large skillet or sauté pan that is big enough to accommodate the crabs without overcrowding. This will ensure even cooking and prevent steaming.
  • Heat the Oil Properly: Heat the cooking oil over medium-high heat until it is shimmering but not smoking. This will help create a nice sear on the crabs.
  • Season Generously: Season the crabs liberally with salt and pepper before cooking. You can also add other seasonings, such as garlic powder, paprika, or Old Bay seasoning, to taste.
  • Cook the Crabs in Batches: If you are cooking a large number of crabs, cook them in batches to prevent overcrowding. This will help ensure that they cook evenly and do not become steamed.
  • Flip the Crabs Carefully: Use a spatula to carefully flip the crabs halfway through the cooking process. This will help them cook evenly on both sides.
  • Serve Immediately: Pan-seared soft-shell crabs are best served immediately after cooking. Garnish with lemon wedges, capers, and olives for a delicious and visually appealing dish.

Conclusion:

Pan-seared soft-shell crabs are a delectable and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer or main course. With their tender meat and crispy shells, they are a true delicacy. By following the tips and instructions provided in this article, you can easily prepare this dish at home and impress your family and friends with your culinary skills. So, gather your ingredients, heat up your skillet, and get ready to indulge in the deliciousness of pan-seared soft-shell crabs.

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